Old Wardour Castle

Set in the peaceful Wiltshire countryside beside a lake, Old Wardour Castle, near Tisbury was once one of the most daring and innovative homes in Britain. It was built in the 14th century as a lightly fortified luxury residence for comfortable living and lavish entertainment. Today the castle ruin provides a relaxed, romantic day out for couples, families and budding historians alike.

An audio tour, included in the ticket price, tells of Old Wardour’s eventful past and the fighting it saw during the Civil War. The badly damaged castle became a fashionable romantic ruin, and in the 18th century was incorporated into the landscaped grounds of the New Wardour House (not managed by English Heritage, no public access to New Wardour House or grounds).

The castle was the inspiration for the one featured in the Kevin Costner film 'Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves'. Children will love to explore the grotto and the castle rooms, climbing the circular stairs to the top where you can see for miles, across the lake and surrounding countryside. There's plenty of space for children to play or for picnics under the cover of the age old trees.

Old Wardour Castle is about an hour drive from Bournemouth and makes a great day out. It is managed by English Heritage. Check website below for opening times and prices.